Pemba Sherpa
Senior Trekking Guide
Pokhara-based guide with 15+ years on Annapurna and Everest trails. Licensed, first-aid trained, and fluent in English, Nepali, and Sherpa.
Trek
Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Walk from subtropical valleys into the Annapurna Sanctuary and stand at 4,130 m beneath Annapurna I and Machhapuchhre.
From
$799
Duration
10 days
Difficulty
moderate
Photo 1 of 2
The journey
Overview
The Annapurna Base Camp trek is one of Nepal’s classic teahouse journeys. In about ten days from Pokhara you rise through Gurung villages, oak and rhododendron forest, and glacial valleys into a circular amphitheatre of 7,000–8,000 m peaks.
Daily walks are typically 5–7 hours on well-marked trails. No technical climbing is required, but solid fitness helps with stone staircases and sustained ascent. We include a licensed guide, porter support, ACAP and TIMS permits, and teahouse lodging with meals on trek.
Best seasons are autumn for crystal views and spring for blooms and milder nights. Winter is colder at ABC; monsoon brings rain and limited mountain views on lower sections.
Day by day
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Pokhara
Meet in Lakeside, trip briefing, gear check, and evening free by Phewa Lake.
- Accommodation
- Hotel in Pokhara
- Meals
- Dinner
- Highest point
- 822 m
Day 2
Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga / Ulleri area
Scenic drive to the trailhead, then a warm-up walk along the Modi Khola valley to the first teahouse stop.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 1,560 m
Day 3
Trek toward Ghorepani or Chhomrong approach
Steady ascent through terraced fields and forest with improving mountain glimpses.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 2,870 m
Day 4
Into the sanctuary foothills
Continue via traditional villages toward Chhomrong, gateway to the Annapurna Sanctuary.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 2,170 m
Day 5
Chhomrong to Bamboo / Himalaya
Descend to the river then climb through bamboo and rhododendron toward higher lodges.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 2,840 m
Day 6
To Deurali
Follow the Modi Khola gorge past avalanche-prone zones with guide pacing and timing.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 3,230 m
Day 7
Deurali to Annapurna Base Camp
Trek via Machhapuchhre Base Camp into the sanctuary; afternoon at ABC (4,130 m).
- Accommodation
- Teahouse at ABC
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 4,130 m
Day 8
Sunrise at ABC and descend
Early views of Annapurna I, then long descent to lower lodges.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 2,600 m
Day 9
Return toward Jhinu / Nayapul
Final Himalayan walks, optional hot springs where available, prepare for drive out.
- Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Highest point
- 1,780 m
Day 10
Drive to Pokhara
Morning walk or short drive connection back to Pokhara; trek ends in Lakeside.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Highest point
- 822 m
Covered
What is included
- ACAP permit and TIMS card
- Licensed trekking guide
- Porter support (typically 1 porter per 2 guests)
- Teahouse lodging during the trek
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on trek days
- Ground transport Pokhara–trailhead–Pokhara
- Basic first-aid kit carried by the guide
Bring / budget
What is not included
- International and domestic flights
- Nepal visa fees
- Travel insurance (mandatory — must cover trekking to 4,200 m)
- Personal trekking gear and sleeping bag
- Drinks, snacks, hot showers, and charging fees
- Tips for guide and porter
- Hotel nights in Pokhara before/after the trek (can be arranged)
On the trail
Gallery
Plan with us
Ask about Annapurna Base Camp Trek
Tell us what you need and we will help you plan the next step. Prefer chat? Reach us on WhatsApp with one tap.
With you
Trip leaders
Maya Gurung
Cultural Guide & Annapurna Specialist
Grew up in the Annapurna foothills. Leads village walks, Poon Hill, and cultural tours with deep Gurung community knowledge.
From the trail
Traveler stories
“Our Annapurna Base Camp trek was perfectly paced. Pemba knew every teahouse, checked in on how we felt at altitude, and still found time to share stories about the mountains.”
Sarah Mitchell — Australia5 out of 5
“Poon Hill in five days from Pokhara was ideal for our first Himalayan trek. Clear briefings, honest difficulty notes, and a sunrise we will never forget.”
James Okonkwo — United Kingdom5 out of 5
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Do I need permits for trekking in the Annapurna region?
Yes. Most Annapurna treks require the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and a TIMS card. We arrange both for package guests and carry copies on the trail.
Is a guide mandatory for trekking in Nepal?
Licensed guides are required on many popular routes for foreign trekkers. Our packages include a government-licensed guide; porters are arranged on a typical 1:2 guest-to-porter ratio unless you request otherwise.
When is the best time to trek around Pokhara?
Autumn (October–November) brings the clearest mountain views. Spring (March–May) offers mild days and rhododendron bloom. Winter is possible but cold at higher camps; monsoon (June–September) means rain, cloud, and leeches on lower trails.
How do you manage altitude on higher treks?
We follow gradual ascent profiles, build rest/acclimatization days into Everest and Circuit itineraries, and brief every guest on AMS symptoms. Guides carry a basic first-aid kit and can arrange descent if anyone feels unwell.
What is usually included in a trek package price?
Typical inclusions: permits, licensed guide, porter support, teahouse lodging, three meals a day on trek, and ground transport between Pokhara and the trailhead. Flights, travel insurance, personal gear, tips, and drinks are usually excluded.